Fabrication of Nanofiber Membranes from Waste-Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Combined with Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and its Photocatalytic Activity

Society must face the challenge of creating high-value products from recycled waste polymers. This research focuses on the synthesis of nanofiber membranes from waste-expanded polystyrene (EPS) using electrospinning. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) enhance the photocatalytic activity of the fiber membrane. ZnO is a more useful alternative to TiO2 as a form of photocatalyst for degrading contaminants in water. This study systematically investigated the effects of varying amounts of ZnO NPs on fiber membrane nanostructure and photocatalytic activity. Methylene blue was used to measure the photocatalytic efficiency of fiber membranes, as they are commonly used in textile wastewater and exposed to ultraviolet light for 20 h. The results showed that the fiber membrane containing ZnO NPs with a concentration of 1 % effectively degraded methylene blue. HIGHLIGHTS The EPS/ZnO nanofiber produced using electrospinning was characterized using SEM-EDX, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy UV-Vis spectrophotometer testing proves that the EPS/ZnO nanofiber has photocatalytic activity capabilities that can remove organic contaminants The EPS/ZnO 1 % shows the highest efficiency; 45 % of methylene blue was degraded within 20 h of irradiation GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT